Talk Bishop Ludden basketball over the past quarter-century, and you start with Pat Donnelly.

He’s not only the school’s winningest coach, but his Ludden career actually goes back to the 1970’s when he played on the 1975 Section III championship squad – and then was a captain the following year as a senior.

He went on to play at Potsdam State where he captained the NCAA Division III Eastern Regional champs his final year.  During his sophomore year, the team played in the regionals…and during his junior year, Potsdam made it to the D-III Final Four – losing in the national championship game.

Pat’s coaching career began at East Syracuse-Minoa where he coached the JV’s from 1980-82 and then the varsity through 1986.  Taking over at his alma mater in 1987, his Ludden teams won a sectional-record seven consecutive championships (1993-99) and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association crowns in 1994 and 2012 – sandwiched around a State Final Four in 2001.

His overall coaching record – which includes 14 Onondaga County High School League championships and nine sectional titles – is a stellar 455-204 (.690).

This year Pat was named the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Coach of the Year (Section III – Class B) and the Central New York Coach of the Year.  He also received the latter award in 1999.  In 2009 he was honored by the Syracuse Sports Corporation (Believe to Achieve Coach of the Year) and the Blind Men and Criers (John Arcaro Coach’s Award).

A board member of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame as well as a Past President of the organization, Pat has been employed for 30 years by National Grid.